UGA football facility’s $80 million renovation continues through pandemic

Marc Weiszer @marcweiszer

Friday

May 22, 2020 at 9:13 AM

Facility upgrades for SEC football programs continue during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Work on Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium took a pause over the weekend due to positive COVID-19 tests, but Georgia football’s $80 million Butts-Mehre expansion and renovation has not had any stoppages because of the virus, according to the construction company involved in that project.

"As of right now, there have not been any virus-related impacts on the project," DPR Construction’s Ro Norman said via email Thursday evening.

No workers have reported positive tests, he said. The project will bring a football operations center next to the Athletic Association headquarters that houses the nationally-ranked program.

Alabama is undergoing a $92.5 million first phase of its stadium renovation. Caddell Construction Company first confirmed the positive cases to the Tuscaloosa News. There are more than 10 positive cases, according to AL.com.

On UGA’s project that will bring a new, expanded weight room, locker room, coaches’ offices and meeting rooms, DPR Construction itself does not administer medical tests to employees, Norman said, but does have temperature screening checks of all employees entering job sites or office spaces.

They are among extra measures taken to support prevention for workers and trade partners, along with requiring face coverings, frequent reminders of handwashing and added sanitizing stations. Work is also planned to accommodate social distancing guidelines and workers who exhibit symptoms of illness including coughing or fever are required to stay home until symptom free.

The project that will add a 160,000-square foot building is still in the relatively early stages and "is moving right along," with the only disruptions so far weather-related, UGA athletic director Greg McGarity said this week. The first phase is scheduled to be completed by April of 2021.

"They are erecting all the steel right now," McGarity said. "They’ve been very fortunate to have good weather, good health. … Right now there have been no delays or COVID-related stoppages."

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